RebecaSparkles

My surgeon waives the program fee depending in what insurance you have. I think its bs that you have to pay if you have the insurance that doesnt pay as well as others. I'd try and fight it. Program fees dont make sense for sleevers who typically dont need many follow up visits/hand holding/office resources/ beyond the initial 90 days included in your original surgical fees.

maybe you can do a neti pot? or a warm/hot salt Water gargle? Lots of steam from hot shower?

I always vite for the Syntrax nectars. You can get them online at amazon, bjs bariatrics & my bariatric pantry. But my fav place to buy is Vitamin shoppe website or in store. If instore always ask that they price match their own online price $4 cheaper here! I love the roadside lemonaide. Im pre op & mix a full 20oz of Water w/ 1 scoop of mix then add whatever mio or sf syrups I desire to change up the flavor. Its never the same same bc i use the lemonaide base to make combos. I also like the fuzzy navel w/ water. For milk based I use the vanilla torte & sf smores torani syrup in a blender to make a delish shake.

Congrats & happy birthday. Super proud of you!

I guess bc of my med history I didn't have to do the sleep study & h. Pilori tests. Yes, I did start in march & finish in aug , its 6 visits. I'm an Oct birthday too 10-15. Have you already had your surgery?

Oh no, perhaps you misunderstood. Height 5'2" HW: 238 WLS Class 1- Visit 1: 3/18/13 235.2# Mandatory Weight Control Class: 4/3/13 Visit 2 NUT: 4/18/13 227.6# Visit 3 NUT: 5/15/13 226# WLS Class 2-Visit 4: 6/18/13 222#- told scale at that location not right. PSYCH Phone Clearance-6/19/13 Surgeon's Seminar 6/20/13 Visit 5 NUT: 7/17/13 223.8# Visit 6 NUT: 8/13/13 221.8# Approved: 8/20/13 First Surgeon's Visit: 8/23/13-219.4# My PCP made me do the weight reduction class and try it on my own for 6 months, obviously that didn't work, so then, she made me do a year of Weight Watchers, then she agreed to refer me to the Weight Loss Surgery Program. I did the whole 6 months of Nut visits and classes before I finished and got approved. My nut didn't even call me to tell me that I was approved until friday of that week, and I was approved on a tuesday. WTF for real. Dr. Mayes works with your doctor at Virginia Hospital Center. Pre-Op diet is the usual no solid food- 5-6 shakes a day, sf Jello, sf pudding, sf yogurt, broth, sf popsicles, sf fudgesicles.

Hello Tekeilla! Hopefully, I'll see you at one of the Kaiser WLS support Groups. The waiting for approval was the worse. My case went before the Obesity Work Group for approval on Tuesday Aug 20th. By 5:30 that evening I saw that the referrals were entered into my kaiser online. I called and snagged the closest appointment with the surgeon that Kaiser chose for me. Which, I'm a little grumpy about because I don't really care which surgeon, I just want one that's available. And they referred me to Dr. Mayes, which I'm sure is a great surgeon but he's going on vacation and doesn't have any dates available for operating until October. I did my initial consultation with Dr. Mayes on Aug 23rd. Pretty much just a meet and greet. Asking of any questions and such. The girl who takes your blood pressure and weight is a little brash, I always freak out when I get my BP checked and my BP is always high- like scary high. Even though I take meds to lower my BP. I asked her for a few moments to collect myself before she turned the machine on. She gave me like 10 seconds and then said oh yeah, this machine will double pump so if it gets really tight don't worry. Boy oh boy did it get tight. Like crazy tight. Not once and then let go like a normal one, but it got tight 3 times! No wonder my number was so high. The following Tuesday I met with the NUT who works with the surgeon. She's like 100 pounds sopping wet and blonde with great hair, prepare to love/hate her. She gave me the pre-op diet description- I guess they've changed to only a one week pre-op diet as I only have to do 7 days. She also gave me the food progression. I did receive my operating date on my first visit with Dr. Mayes which is October 3rd. I got a laundry list of things to do, which I'm a little grumpy that I could of done them ahead of time according to Dr. Mayes as they don't "expire" and are relevant for 3 months or so. I called member services to schedule them and they gave me a run around before finally scheduling what I requested. I have an EKG where they check your heart, and blood work for liver panel, vit d, Calcium, Iron, etc... I also need a letter of clearance for surgery which requires a "physical" with the PCP. More co-pays... yay! I have a follow up with Dr. Mayes towards the end of september to review my pre-op tests and do all those long forms for release of liability, surgical conscent etc...

Stuff your bra with stuff like cell phone, other heavy items. Hide items in your pockets. Drink as much liquid as u can. Eat really good the day before & before. Make apt for end of day.

Can you freeze the gel caps , cut in half or quarters? Take before they thaw?

I hear you. It really hurts & nobody close to me seems to get it. It happens to me at least 2x a week. It hurts extra for me bc w/ tye pcos & only having 1 remaining ovary.

Nice job!!! Looking awesome!

I'm more scared of barfing right after waking up. That & of messing the bed & my hubby having to clean it up.

So had my meeting with the Nut, b/c I did so well on my mandatory 6 month "diet" I only have to do 7 day pre op liquid diet. I was thinking maybe I.'d do a little longer so as to kick start my loss... Or maybe not... I just got back from Chicago where I had food funeral extravaganza. pizza at Pequods, pie at Joe's seafood & steaks, donuts at Glazed & Infused & ice cream at oberweis, ribs at Smoque, cupcakes at More. Needless to say I gained 4#, but still according to my weigh-ins didn't gain. Good spacing of appointments on my part. Now waiting & counting down. Feeling like anti-climatic. Like I don't want to get worked up about it because its not real. Little annoyed bc my surgeon thinks I'll only get down to 140# & I recall 140 & remember feeling just as gross & fat as I feel now but w/much smaller boobs. I'm doing this so in the future I can have babies safely but theres like a 75% chance that wont happen for me so I guess I also am doing this to be hott for myself. Like I've always been fat, I want to be hot damn it.

I actually trained at the Northwestern Orthotics & Prosthetics Center at the Feinberg School of Medicine downtown Chicago campus. Sounds like you're on the right track. Yes, PTTD has no cure per se. It will only get worse without treatment. Yes, many obese people get it but regular people get it too. It does have to do with your gait & biomechanics. If you ever want somebody to chat with or explain things feel free to pm me, I am from a family run O&P facility so I can do what I want. Do you have O & P insurance coverage? Some of the really awesome "cadalliac" orthosis are very very expensive, they work great & are easy to fit. The "chevy's" work the same just more work for your Orthotist & less $$$ so they talk you into the more expensive item.

I am an Orthotist Prosthetist- have you been evaluated for an Ankle Foot Orthosis? If your pttd is grade 2 you may be able to get away with a ucbl which is a little "brace" that goes in your shoe-usually made of plastic. If grade 3 or above it's usually an ankle foot orthosis which can be light weight & springy. We frequently recommend a spring leaf type AFO. Or a carbon style ( like the allard toe off or similar)AFO paired with an ucbl. I hope you find relief- it's out there.

Do you shell them? Or eat them skin, shell & all?

Try your luck.

Nordstrom rack sells the slimming shirts 2for $25 i recommend sizing down. They last a few months before u need new. I get them for my hubby. I think the brand is tommy john? allons-y

October 3 rd for me too! allons-y

I use PicMonkey.com they have a free editor & the ducks in a row setting will allow you to line up pics side by side. Its super easy to add text, borders & block faces. allons-y

Hurry up & wait. Waiting sucks. I also have an oct date. Not gonna happen soon enough for me. Sucks. allons-y

How did u do your pics side by side in 1pic? allons-y

Congrats!!! allons-y

sorry to hear that, I heard that if your sleeve is too narrow twisting of the sleeve can occur. What size boughie did your surgeon use?

Yay!!!! What's your starting stats?